Word by None Else But Mr. Man

Let's not forget the international students who risked their health and lives in fighting for the cause by going on hunger strikes. Let's give 'em our hearty handshakes! We all wish you Happy New Year, too!

Καλή χρονιά! - Kali Chronia! (Greek)

Gelukkig Nieuw Jaar! (Dutch)

Glückliches Neues Jahr! (German)
Bonne Année! (French)
Buon Capodanno! (Italian)
明けましておめでとう! - Akemashite Omedeto! (Japanese)
新年好! - Chu Shen Tan! (Chinese)

С Новым годом! - S Novym Godom! (Russian)

with love,

the cartoonist

Joe California

New Cartoon

Chris Leon's suggestion in his blog a while back gave me an idea for this cartoon. Instead of drawing him signing "big-headed" as Chris had originally envisioned, I've drawn him signing "Handwaves." This is to show how big-hearted we Californians really are. I'm a proud Californian. One of my ancestors, my late great-grandfather John McClintock, moved from the East to this state with his family at the beginning of the 20th Century and settled in Altadena, northeastern of Los Angeles. Back in his time Los Angeles was only a small city surrounded by mostly farmland. He planted orange trees in a land he bought there and, as a philanthropist, would later give many contributions to the city of Altadena. May the warmth of the sun we feel here in the West spread to the East and surround Kendall Green!

Stay tuned for my New Year's Eve message coming up soon tomorrow!

JKF's Perception of Gallaudet University

JKF's perception of Gallaudet University as a "deaf club"

Sorry...can't resist! When JKF made her famous "deaf club" comment, an idea immediately sprang to my mind! :D

(For those who missed the JKF interview, see this link http://blog.deafread.com/mishkazena/2006/12/17/dr-fernandes-finally-speaks/)

Political Cartoon of the Week

The Grinch Who Stole Christmas

I had done this cartoon before Elizabeth's post about the PUG's breakfast meeting with the BoT came out yesterday. When I read her post, I changed the text in the rate box from "PG: Parents Guidance Advised" to "PUGI: Parents United Gallaudet Ignored" because I felt the PUG's advice and concerns were ignored.

Censure, Not Punish

editorial by D. McClintock

I think maybe I wasn't loud enough in proposing that the BoT censure certain actions instead of mete out reprisals. It seems I am the only blogger with this idea for censure. Let me explain why I am in favor of this alternative to reprisals.

For definition and history of censure, see this link, http://www.winwithoutwarus.org/html/new_censure.whatis.html#historical

Why does not the BoT do the same for certain protestors, whose behavior was unacceptable? Censure communicates the message that such behavior, as throwing bottles and vandalism, is unacceptable. Censure may also serve as a warning for future protestors. Censure is a face-saving measure that the BoT should have considered. Extreme reprisals, in my view, such as expulsion of all those who were involved in the protests, send out the wrong message.

I have travelled widely around the world and have witnessed how America was perceived in other countries. I understand generally how Europeans and Asians think. I fear that if extreme reprisals are carried out, prospective students in other countries will see Gallaudet as a "not-friendly" place. Reprisals may hurt Gallaudet's image farther in the long run than the BoT may realize.

The best course of action for the BoT would be to rescind reprisals immediately and offer a censure instead. This would be peaceful and appropriate, in light of the need for harmony on campus. The BoT should also take into account the students' complaints against the DPS, who exceeded use of force beyond the limits of their authority.

If the BoT feel reprisals are absolutely neccessary, let the reprisals be light....community service, research papers, compensation for damages...what else? Nothing more. I, the faceless blogger who lives 3,000 miles away from Washington, D.C., have never met the student who threw an apple through the window or spraypainted over IKJ's name. But I don't feel a desire he should be expelled from campus for what he did. Rather I think he should be made aware such behavior is wrong, that's all. Let his education continue. I think he should even come forward and offer to pay for the damages. I think it would be better for the student to take the bullet for the movement than the movement to take the bullet for the student. This is up to the student.

Ken (Bibliomarket) suggested a boycott of Gallaudet to protest reprisals by the BoT. While I respect his opinion and support his call for solidarity, I think this idea would backfire. Why? It would probably defeat the purpose of the protests. What good would staying at home in January accomplish? Have you thought what negative impact it might have on Gallaudet's accreditation process? What about those students whose tuition is already paid in full for one year? Come on, do you want Dr. Davila the new Interim President to come to an empty university? I think your visible presence is needed back on campus. I think we should think of more creative and proactive ways to protest the reprisals. I think you need to be there to show the BoT what student power is about.

The Symbolism of the Gavel: Social Justice

commentary by D. McClintock

This is in reference to Mishka Zena's two recent posts, one an open letter by Tina Jo Breindel and the other Mishka's commentary on the symbolism of the wooden ruler. Mishka saved my time from explaining the symbolism of the ruler, so I will just comment on the symbolism of the gavel here.

http://blog.deafread.com/mishkazena/2006/12/14/open-letter-to-pramuk-and-hillel/

http://blog.deafread.com/mishkazena/2006/12/14/the-symbolism-of-wooden-ruler/

I am no longer angry at IKJ but looking to move forward. Let IKJ have all his milestones he wants. I am very familiar with psychology, for I grew up with a psychologist with a Phd. as my stepfather. I understand that the mere sight of a ruler makes one shiver with anger, for to this person it symbolizes oppression. It brings for many of us unpleasant memories of our childhood experiences. What can we do to be proactive, to replace this disturbing symbol? Hence I propose the gavel. As one of my fans had suggested for my "Changing of the Guards" cartoon, it symbolizes shared goverance, democracy in action and efficient policymaking. It can symbolize student power, as well.

In the beginning of the protests students cried for social justice. After "Black Friday" the demand for social justice got louder. So this will be a symbol for social justice.

The ruler broken by the gavel is not IKJ's ruler per se, but the ruler of oppression that we endured our lives in our pasts. This gavel to me symbolizes shattering the power of painful memories, breaking away old constructs to give way for new ideas, new life.

I support Tina Jo's call for amnesty for all involved in the protests. Early in my blogs I had called for a pardon and a censure. I still support pardon for those protestors if any one of them is found to be guilty. But in this context Tina Jo pointed out, amnesty makes the most sense. I reiterate my proposition that the Board of Trustees censure only acts that are inappropriate (spraypainting, throwing bottles, etc.), not punish the protestors themselves. I also propose that the BoT condemn the actions IKJ and his Administration undertook to suppress the protestors with use of force. Let there be no reprisals, period. Let there be social justice for all!

What do you think?

Political Cartoon of the Week

The Incredible Shrinking Man

The Measure of His Stature

G'morning, folks! This may or may not be the last IKJ cartoon. As I post this cartoon, please note I've been fair to IKJ when I spoke out against spraypainting over his name on the building and throwing a bottle at his wife (which I thought were both wrong and counterproductive). I even had respect for him before and after I met him the first time at a party, until the time when he ordered bulldozers to crash the MSSD gates and push away protestors. As you know, ever since I started my protest cartoons last May, I've always consistently opposed acts of violence, whether on the part of the Administration or certain protestors. This is how Reverend Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet and Alice Cosgwell would have wanted it - no violence at all on their campus.

Blatant disregard for safety may be considered as an act of violence, and to me IKJ's decision on that fateful day apparently showed lack of regard for people's safety. I still, though, respect IKJ nonetheless as a private citizen and his family and their rights to privacy or a peaceful life. But as a politician and Gallaudet President, IKJ is fair game for political cartoons. So here's a new one - "The Measure of His Stature."

When Ridor mentioned IKJ's gift of the wooden ruler to his faculty and staff at his last holidays party, I was flabbergasted. I found this ironic, for just last week on December 5 I drew a man in the left picture in my "Changing of the Guards" cartoon holding a ruler! Was this prophetic? Or did IKJ see this and ordered customized wooden rulers on purpose to spite me? Maybe I underestimated the effects my cartoons have on the public?

In one of his previous blogs Sherlock Steve wrote about IKJ's unusual gift and described what he saw was symbolism behind the wooden ruler. I can empathize with him, for I went through similiar experiences in childhood. It's odd how I thought of that symbol when I first drew the "Changing of the Guards" cartoon. It may come from the collective super-conscious. I shall explain my perspective of the symbolism behind the ruler and the gavel later.

According to Ridor, the 19-inch ruler was in reference to IKJ's 19 years of service at Gallaudet. It's amazing how a few acts can diminish the years of reputation he built upon accomplishments he achieved for Gallaudet University. This is, I think, unfortunate. With a scandal over Gallaudet's accreditation in question and suspicions of his alleged participation in misappropriation of the $4 million DPS fund ) looming over his head, his reputation seems to be shrinking than ever. Why does he want to leave earlier on December 22? Is he in a hurry? What is he running from?
(See http://bibliomarket.wordpress.com/2006/12/12/ik-jordan-departing-dec-22-admidst-scandal/)

Speaking of who, where is IKJ? Oh, there he is!...wow...you can't believe how fast he is shrinking! :D

Link to Deaf Latinos Website

Folks, here's a link to information on the growing deaf Latino community that you may be interested in seeing. Dr. Davila's photo is posted on this website.

http://www.educ.kent.edu/fundedprojects/TSPT/unitexamples/DeafHispanics-083005.ppt

Also, check out Jamie Berke's link:

http://deafness.about.com/cs/subcultures/a/hispanic.htm

¡Unidos y Adelante!- D.

UPDATE: The first link's now fixed. Thanks, Tayler!

posted by Dan McClintock at 10:45 AM

1 Comments:

tayler said...

The first link is broken.

11:05 AM

General Pinochet

by D. McClintock

Former dictator of Chile General Augusto Pinochet passed away on December 10, 2001 after he became seriously ill, following a heart attack on December 4. Pinochet and the previous President of Chile, Salvador Allende, whom he overthrew in a violent coup d'etat in 1973, were two men who divided Chile emotionally and philosophically, like IKJ and JKF did to Gallaudet and the deaf community. Pinochet and Allende, to some Chileans, represented the Extreme Right and Left, respectively. Thankfully, after enduring some of the most tumultous times in history under Pinochet and Allende, Chile has settled on a more middle-of-the road as a democracy with a free market economy and a socialist government. For more information on Pinochet's background and Chilean history, I would like to share with you readers with this link to an interesting article:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,60-2497858,00.html

Incidentally, my late grandfather was Ambassador to Venezuela when Pinochet seized power and Allende was assassinated on September 11, 1973. During the same year before this happened, my parents had divorced, I was taken out of Clarke School and we moved to another state. My family and I travelled to Venezuela once to visit my grandparents in 1971 (this is one of many stories I shall illustrate one day). My grandmother was born in Santiago, Chile, and her father, my late-grandfather, Luis Aníbal Barrios, was a Senator and Minister of Finances in the Chilean government during the 1910s. (for his picture, see http://www.hacienda.gov.cl/ministerio.php?opc=showContenido&id=646&nav_id=189&contar=1&tema_id=&code=sa.bD.tHo0V66)

I wonder what the reactions of deaf Chilenos are to the news of Pinochet's death. I know there aren't that many deaf Chilenos out in the U.S. compared to Mexicans and other fellows from South-American countries. If any of you out there is a deaf Chileno, whether you or your family are pro or anti-Pinochet, you're welcome to post your comments or stories here!

¡Felicitaciones, Dr. Davila!

Congratulations, Dr. Robert Davila!

I first met Dr. Robert Davila in 1978 when he was acting dean of MSSD and my parents and I came to Washington, D.C. for an interview at MSSD. I can't remember every detail, but I recall that upon our visit to his office, Dr. Davila inquired whether I was Latino or Italian. (Throughout my life so many people thought I looked either Italian or Greek! Which was funny, because at my first impression of him I thought he was Italian! I wasn't exposed to many Mexican-Americans in the East when I was a child.) When I replied that I was part Latino, he greeted me by signing a few Spanish words. That impressed me and my parents. (More on my South American background in the coming next post) Dr. Davila sure knew how to make one feel welcome!

One blogger compared Dr. Davila and the outgoing President IKJ by how they greeted people after Dr. Davila's speech. Based on my personal experience in meeting each man, I would agree with his analysis. The only time when I met IKJ was at a private social function (a friend's birthday party, years ago), I greeted him and introduced myself. He acknowledged me with a nod (like one of my cartoon characters New York Elvis's silent, nonchalant nod) and shook my hand. It was a light, formal handshake...not the tight, warm kind you'd expect. From him I felt a polite aloofness. We didn't converse beyond this point.

Dr. Davila, on the other hand, radiated warmth. He and I have conversed several times during the times I was a MSSD student and other times as a professional. As a Hispanic-American whose father was born in Europe and spoke three languages, I felt a connection with him. Although I was born in the United States and I am a full U.S. citizen, technically I am a citizen of two countries (Sweden and Chile). My father, who was born in Sweden to my American grandfather and Chilean grandmother, was automatically a Swedish citizen. But he shuffled around to several countries as he grew up and my grandfather the diplomat was assigned different posts.

According to Chilean law nationality may be passed to the individual through his grandmother. The U.S., however, does not recognize dual nationality. Nevertheless, in a way I was an international student. Spanish is my third language, next to ASL and English . MSSD at my time had several international students. One student, a boy, came from Ethiopia. Another student, a girl, originated from Cuba and moved to Florida with her family. There was this exchange student from Germany, a girl. There were many students from Puerto Rico, too.

If Dr. Davila makes you feel welcome as he did when I first came to MSSD, this is the kind of man you want for President.

Dr. Davila, in my view, personifies international goodwill in his grace and manner. I think his presence at Gallaudet University will help to bring attention to issues that concern students of color, including deaf and hard of hearing Hispanic Americans, and international students. I think his leadership will bring about many positive changes that we hope to see on campus. I also hope that he will see to that those international students who were involved in the protests may have a chance to extend their stay in the U.S. without fear of reprisals. After all, we should make them feel welcome, like this is su casa.

I don't know what the reactions of other deaf people in San Diego (Dr. Davila's hometown) are to the news of his new post as Interim President...the news had just broken out yesterday...but I am certain that they are as elated as I am and you are! Especially those who are Mexican-American or from Mexico. Some of you may don't know how much this news of the first deaf Mexican-American to be Interim President of Gallaudet University means to us. This is time for joyous celebrations, indeed! Bob, we are PROUD of you! From the bottom of our hearts we say - CONGRATULATIONS! And in the language of our countries...¡FELICATICIONES!

¡Viva la Revolución de Gallaudet!

Attention, All Deaf Cartoonists!

Quick announcement here:

San Diego Comic Con International will be held on July 26-29, 2007. For full information, go to www.comic-con.org/

We need to get a booth here at this huge event! I will tell you more later about what happens every year at Comic Con. For those of you who haven't been there before, you'll DEFINITELY love it! I guarantee it! Movie stars and celebrities come to this event every year to plug their movies! Many people attend this event wearing wacky clothes, especially those Trekkies or fans of Star Wars!

Any of you deaf cartoonists interested in coming to San Diego next year?? If so, contact me ASAP to get on my list! I'll do whatever I can to make you feel welcome in my home city! We deaf cartoonists need to get exposure and this is one of the BEST places! I'm telling ya, it's a very, very huge annual event...thousands of people for 1 entire week! Last year and two years ago Comic Con filled the entire convention center from top to bottom!

Any one of you good at writing sponsorship letters? If you want to see a deaf cartoonists booth at Comic Con next year, we need to get sponsors very soon! The deadline for booth application is January 5, 2007. To those interested, please write me at my email address, dmcclintock@sandiego.com.

Any other idea or suggestion from you towards helping to set up this special deaf cartoonists booth would be welcome! Let's make waves in '07!

Thank you!

It Takes Two Hands To Rebuild

I see talk about rebuilding the unity on Gallaudet University increasing in the blogsphere, so here is my thought: It takes two hands to rebuild. Whether it be COSC and FSSA, the protestors or the Fernandes supporters, whichever group is divided among the students on campus, it takes two hands to make this big effort...rebuilding. I'm not pressuring anyone...nor am I one to give out orders...but it would be nice to see COSC and FSSA at least acknowledge each other, reconcile, put asides their differences and make a concrete plan towards rebuilding the unity. This is just my suggestion. I know COSC and FSSA may have disagreements with each other, but they are the groups who started all this, so they must finish it. I know this may be a busy month, with final tests and holiday breaks. Yet an outline should be drawn up somewhere. January may be a good time for undertaking definite actions. If students want to do something soon to initiate the process, fine, that's good. What do you think, readers?

Changing of the Guards

I know I said I thought I was gonna back out of Gallaudet politics for a little while. Actually I was just taking a breather. Now, I'm back with a couple of more new cartoons on Gallaudet politics this time. I'm not backing down from expressing my opinions or whatever. You wanted to see more "political" cartoons, so you got it.

This cartoon was suggested to me by a reader. I've modified it a little on my own. The group on the left represents the Old Guard, that wanted to continue on carrying out the vision of the IKJ Administration, so called "The New Deaf Order." The group on the right represents the New Guard, a coalition of people of diverse backgrounds, age, and hearing degrees (whether deaf, hard of hearing or hearing), with a vision for the "New Deaf Way." Notice one man in the left picture carries a ruler and the woman at the end of the desk carries a stamp. In the other picture one man carries a cellphone and a student at the end of the desk carries a gavel. According to the reader, this is the future that Gallaudet must be prepared for.

A Note to My Critics

Gee whiz! I didn't realize how upset my recent cartoons made some of you people. What are you griping about? The protests are over. The students got what they wanted. The problem's been solved. Harmony's been restored to the campus. What are you fussing about? Don't you see this is all just a parody?

My critics seem to be confused about my position on JKF and the Gallaudet protests. I would refer them to look at my "JKF's Makeover" in my original blog, dmcclintock.blogspot.com. OOOOF COURSE, I know what it was about...it was about the leadership issue, not the "not deaf enough" card!! D-uh! Siiigh...no, I didn't do this to feel "superior." Have you watched late tv shows lately? Jay Leno, David Letterman and other comedians mocked presidents, politicians, world leaders and other famous people EVERY NIGHT! Do they do it to feel superior themselves? They do it for a living! Look, this is a cartoon blog page. Most of the cartoons I blog here are satire. What did you expect - nice, cutesy, Disneyque cartoons?

I think I'll back out of Gallaudet politics for a while, seeing there are still some frayed nerves out there. To those who liked my cartoons and wrote positive comments, thank you for your support!

Peace out,
D.

Tintin, the Picaros and the Gallaudet Revolution

Commentary by D. McClintock

While I do cartoon blogs here, I also like to blog on other cartoonists' work. One of the most famous cartoonists I would like to blog on is Hergé, creator of The Adventures of Tintin. Have anyone of you ever read these classic books? They are among my favorite graphic novels that I love to read. Let me briefly introduce the artist Hergé, then I will get to the point of my essay here, the parallels that I see between his book Tintin and the Picaros and the Gallaudet revolution. You'll find this a little amusing as well as interesting.

Hergé (real name George Rémi, b. in Brussels, Belgium in 1907) was a Belgian illustrator who began his career by doing work for a local newspapers. He originally created a comic strip Tintin for a weekly supplement for children that would appear in the newspapers on Thursdays -
Le Petit Vingtieme. Tintin first appeared in Le Petit Vingtieme on November 1, 1928. Since then Tintin ran for more than four decades, with his adventures graphically depicted in twenty-two series. According to biographer Michael Farr,"worldwide sales of the Tintin books totalled over 120 million, with the annual figure topping four million as the adventures came to be translated into more than fifty languages - from Arabic and Chinese, Icelandic and Indonesian, Japanese and Korean to Persian and Serbo-Croat, not forgetting optimistic departures into Esperanto, Latin and Luxemburgisch."

There's one language that Tintin was never yet translated into...American Sign Language. Wonder how this could be done? Maybe through a comic strip in Hergé's honor or a play or a vlog drama of Tintin and his friends? Something to chew on...

Actually, for your information, one of the characters in Tintin's Adventures is deaf. Well, more likely, late-deafened. This character is named Professor Cuthbert Calculus, and he is the one in the middle between Tintin and Captain Haddock on the front cover (see above), with his trademark battered green derby hat, his goatee and his granny eyeglasses. Calculus, in my opinion, is one of the funniest characters I've ever seen in comic book literature. Biographer Michael Farr describes Calculus' first appearance in the following paragraph:

His introduction on page five of Red Rackham's Treasure is a comic tour de force, contrasting Calculus' quiet persistence with Haddock's explosive impatience at the professor's deafness - a "little hard of hearing" by his own account. "I'd like to speak to Tintin," the professor inquires politely after Haddock has despatched the crowd of "fancy-dress freebooters" claiming to have a connection with Red Rackham. "Why? No doubt your name happens to be Red Rackham?"
"Yes?" replies an uncomprehending Calculus. And when, after another unsuccessful exchange Haddock blasts:"YOUR NAME!", the comedy reaches a climax with Calculus' staggering reply:
"Gone away? What a pity! Never mind, I'll come again. I particularly wanted to speak to Mr. Tintin himself." The combination of deafness and inventive genius provides a rich vein of humour for the rest of the Tintin series. Like Haddock, the professor never misses an adventure and even has one named after him, The Calculus Affair. "The dear professor!...Another whom I never suspected would take on such importance," Hergé came to admit.
(Tintin The Complete Companion, Michael Farr, Last Gasp of San Francisco, First Edition 2002, p. 106)

All information on the creator Hergé and his beloved character Tintin can be found on www.tintin.com. You can even order his books or other products from this website.

I have been reading Tintin since when I was a child, when my mother gave me a French translation of Flight 714. (Incidentally, this was how I learned French! Comic books are one of the best ways to learn a foreign language, fyi!) At his personal library my late grandfather the diplomat had a wide collection of Tintin as well as other graphic novels from different countries, some in different languages. Seated in a plumb leather armchair in his stuffy office, I would read those books while he was either busy working on documents on his desk or running errands with my father. Ah, cherished memories...

Because so many years had passed since then, I started re-reading Tintin recently. This was shortly after the Gallaudet protests when I saw parallels between his last book Tintin and the Picaros and the Gallaudet revolution. The story is quite amusing.

General Alcazar wanted to overthrow depot General Tapioca, who had previously seized control of government from him in his country San Theodoros (a fictional country set in South America). But he was frustrated by his band of guerrillas' drinking problem. A successful revolution cannot be carried out by a bunch of drunks, he pointed to his friend Tintin. In the book we find that alcohol was actually supplemented in boxes by air from General Tapioca to Alcazar's band of guerrillas in the jungles, to keep them inebriated. Tintin found a solution to Alcazar's problem: Calculus' special medicine. To help cure Captain Haddock's alcoholism, Calculus invented a kind of pill that would make the drinker sick every time he or she drinks alcohol. Tintin successfully cured Alcazar's band of their drinking problem by secretly spiking their food with Calculus' pills. Tintin also successfully convinced the passionate Latino generalissmo Alcazar to lead a revolution without violence, without a shot fired, without a drop of blood. How Tintin, Alcazar, his band and their friends pulled off this feat...I'll leave this to you to read the book. I don't want to spoil the ending!

The story of the revolution on campus of Gallaudet University is similiar to the Picaros story. There was in the beginning a great deal of toxicity we dealt with in blogs and protests on the campus...anger, hatred, profanities, threats of violence. All probably fueled by alcohol or God knows what else in the students' lives. Maybe not every student involved in the protests, mind you. But it was clear last October that the toxic emotions ran very high, and this would have erupted into something bigger and uglier we wouldn't like or accept. One poster left a comment on my blog, that appeared to advocate violence on campus, giving a hint that a riot was inevitable. I told this poster that violence did NOT need to be the solution to every problem! I know from seeing other blogs that many alumni, professionals and mature students share this view. We needed to educate those young, new students who didn't understand better.

I would not allow violence to happen on campus, period - because there are children living on the same campus. MSSD students. Children going to school, too...KDES students. Any act of violence, any move towards organizing a riot on campus, would not only be outrageous but stupid as well and dangerous to the safety of children on campus.

Thankfully debate followed. We bloggers and protestors took time to debate the issues back and forth, and - what happened? Reason prevailed on campus. Reason won over violence. We have proved ourselves to the world that we're smart. That, like Tintin and his friends, we are capable of intelligence and self-control. You should applaud yourselves. With exception of someone's blemished toe (aptly nicknamed "The Stubbed-Toe Gate" by critic Mike McConnell), no blood was shed, no bullet was fired, no lives were fortunately harmed or lost. Gallaudet is now becoming a good example that a peaceful revolution is indeed and can be possible!

¡Viva la revolución de Gallaudet!

Thanksgiving Cartoon

Good Ol' Fashioned Maryland Crabbake

"Behave, Will Ya?"

Artist's Response to Ridor's "This is Cool, Is It?"

(reposted)

Saturday, November 18, 2006

Artist's Response to Ridor's "This is Cool, Is It?"

Recently today, blogger Ridor wrote a piece about the SuperASL T-shirt that is selling like hot cakes on BuyASL.com. I read it with amusement, knowing who created it. Folks, here's the link to his blog, "This is Cool, Is it?" Be sure to check out a photograph of himself wearing the T-shirt that I - yes, I - created. It's worth a few good laughs. Hey, Ridor, muy gracias....you can let out the air now! ;)

http://www.ridorlive.com/?p=1992

Ladies and gentlemen, I'd like to introduce myself. I'm the one who designed that famous T-shirt Ridor talked about. The credit for the idea goes to BuyASL.com. I was approached by them and asked to design a logo that is similiar to Superman but that has the word ASL incorporated into it. I designed three logos, and they picked one. I was paid my commission for the logo design. FYI, I do not receive any residual on this T-shirt. It is for the deaf community. BuyASL.com is a company known to be very supportive of the deaf community.

This design that I created is intended as a novelty item, to put a spin on the issue of American Sign Language with humor. This is the message that I believe BuyASL.com is trying to convey with this design, that it's OK & cool to communicate in ASL and that ASL is...SUPER-cool!I would like to let you a little on my background. I'm not an ASL extremist, either. I do not see this design I made as a symbol for ASL extremism, and I do not think it should be taken as such. I see this design as a proactive, positive message in support of ASL as our language.

I learned sign language at age 8. Before then, I was an oralist. I was a student at one of the most famous oral schools, Clarke School for the Deaf in Northampton, MA. As you may know, Clarke School banned sign language in the classroom and frowned upon its use outside the school building. At the dormority where I lived, we'd communicate by handmade signs and grunts - short, brief speaking. Not everyone at Clarke I knew was skilled at speech and lipreading, including myself.When I first learned sign language, it opened a world for me. I will never forget this day when I first learned sign language...like my hospital stay and survival, it was one of several major turning points in my life. I am sure it was the same for many, many deaf people.

The school where I learned sign language was at Amoskeag School for the Deaf, a small day school in Manchester, New Hampshire. The type of sign language taught there, however, was PSE (Pidgin Signed English). PSE is like a combination of SEE and ASL. When I saw ASL signed, it was at an elementary school where my bus would pick up some students, and my first impression that ASL was a language spoken by kids at elementary school level. Boy, was I wrong!MSSD was where my mind changed and expanded. While I was a student at MSSD for three years from 1978 to 1981, the way I signed was heavily influenced by the people I met there and the school plays that I participated in. Despite MSSD's official policy of total communications at that time, ASL was widely practiced everywhere I went. It was at MSSD when I realized ASL was a common language that the deaf community in America communicated in.

Through my involvement in theatre I learned to develop profound love and respect for this beautiful, visual language called ASL. Since then I've been an ASL signer and will always remain one to my death.So...folks, ladies and gentlemen, to celebrate our love, honor and respect for ASL as our language, PLEASE buy the Super-ASL T-shirt from BuyASL.com! And don't forget to buy 6 wrist bands of “GOT ASL?”....$ 2 from each sale will be donated to the FSSA Coalition or the GUAA! Go to this link:http://www.buyasl.com/Wear one TODAY and look SUPER-COOL! Get it?Many, many thanks to everyone, y'all for your time reading and for your support towards Gallaudet University / Kendall Green!

D. McClintock,artist
posted by Dan McClintock at 1:37 PM

Public Service Announcement: Hypertension

Greetings, folks!

I am feeling much, much better today. What an ordeal I went through! Let you know I was in two hospitals recently this month. I spent 1 week in the first hospital from November 2 to November 8. I was in another hospital again on November 12 to 13. I was treated for hypertension, chest pain, and other medical conditions that I shall not go into details here. At the first hospital I was informed by a doctor that I had nearly what was called a myocardial infarction (a minor heart attack). Wow - I was fortunate to have made it to that hospital in time! It was a close call.

Folks, I'm not the same man anymore since my release from the hospital. I feel changed in many ways. My long stay at the hospital made me think a great deal about my life. This is not the first time I've had a brush with death. But this was one of the closest I've ever had, quite a serious one! I feel very, very glad to be alive. You can't imagine how so precious and valuable it is just to breathe one more day of air!

To my friends and well-wishers, I am very fine, thank you. I am still undergoing a process of healing, which will take time. Your prayers and support are greatly appreciated.

Now, here is my public service announcement. Folks, hypertension is no laughing matters! I would strongly encourage my generation (age 40-45) to consider lifestyle changes because what happened to me early may happen to them later in their sixties! Whatever your age or background you come from, whether you are an athlete or not, get your blood pressure checked - often. This may be a lifesaver for you! You may never know when it may change, and you may never be aware of it!

If your doctor finds that your blood pressure is higher than normal (over 130 and up), it's time for you to consider serious changes, such as in diet and execrise. Salt is the culprit of many medical problems that are caused as a result of hypertension. If you happen to like salt or eating salty food, I would advise you to switch to sea salt or kosher salt, which are considered more nutritious than regular, table salt. Table salt (sodium chloride) is BAD for you! It causes blood vessels to constrict, thus restricting the flow of blood throughout the body, and it leads to dehydration, which is not good for the body. You'd be amazed at how much salt the average American eats. The normal requirement for body intake is about 2-3 grams of salt per day, but the average American eats more than 5 grams a day! Even if he or she doesn't sprinkle much salt on his or her food, it may still contain lots of salt that he or she wasn't aware of when he or she made a purchase. Frozen dinner and canned food, for example, contain high amounts of salt. Hence, my strongest advice to fellow hypertensives: if you were recently diagnosed with hypertension...AVOID frozen dinner and canned food! Don't touch them within ten foot! They're very, very bad for your blood pressure!

Also either cut down or quit drinking alcohol, and if you're drinking whole fat milk, BEST switch - to fat-free skim milk! If you don't like the taste of fat-free skim milk, try 2% at first for a while, then switch to 1% and later when your taste buds adjust, switch to fat-free skim milk. I guarantee you this will work...you'd be amazed at how quickly your taste buds can adapt to! Or try this alternative and drink either soy or rice milk, which is good for your health.

You may have already heard this, but cutting down on red meat and eating more fish or poultry, followed by more vegetables, fruits, nuts and grains in your diet, can and do definitely cut down the risks of heart disease. Try it, my friends!

If you have any question about hypertension or heart disease or salt-free diet, email me. (I warn you, though, I am not a physician and my opinion here should not be taken as qualified medical opinion. You must consult your own doctor if you have specific issues or questions you want to find answers to. I can only provide information and links here.) I am willing to help other deafies understand better this issue of hypertension and heart disease.

That's it for my PSA here. Coming next, Artist's Statement re BuyASL.com t-shirt.

- Dan McClintock

New Politicial Cartoon

More news & cartoons coming later...

Hello, folks, this is to let you know I am taking a break from blogging for a while until I recuperate fully. But look forward to news and cartoons coming soon in the near future! In the meantime, thank you for your support!

- Dan McClintock, cartoonist

In Honor of American Veterans

We thank you for your service to our country and your dedication to our principles of democracy and freedom.

Correction: MSSD Alumni Arrested Name List

To:
MSSDAlumni@yahoogroups.com
From:
"Yvonne" Add to Address Book Add Mobile Alert
Date:
Mon, 30 Oct 2006 13:58:30 -0000
Subject:

[MSSDAlumni] MSSD Alumni Arrested Name List Correction

Correction. The name list you got before is not accurate.
List of MSSD Alumni Who Were Arrested on Friday, October 13, 2006

1. Berry, Heather
2. Best, Joshua
3. Brimmer, Adam
4. Clevenger, Travis
5. Doudt, Calvin
6. Egnatovitch, Kyron
7. Harris, Raychelle
8. Holcomb, Tara
9. Johnson, Rochella
10. Kelly, Joseph
11. Kessel, Jonathan
12. Kuehne, Jennifer
13. MacLaughlin Holmes, Heidi
14. Moore, Sean
15. Plummer, LaToya
16. Ruzicka, Jason
17. Saccente, Joseph
18. Scarna, Stefano
19. Saunders, Shandella
20. Shephard, Ryan21. Valencia, Jessica
22. Valencia, Jonathan__._,_.___

RICK REBORN

RICK REBORN

Unity for Gallaudet University

New Thomas & Alice Cartoon

UNITY SAME!

FOR MSSD ALUMNI: Update!

www.mssdclassmates.com is now updated! Please visit there and also check new MSSD alumni blog!

Eagles #1!

D.

New MSSD Blog

Attention, folks, the seniors inspired me to open this blog for MSSD. If any one of you is interested in speaking out, you are welcome to do so here. Anonymity will be respected.

http://eagle-soars.blogspot.com/

Letter from MSSD Seniors

This came from MSSD Seniors! Folks, ladies and gentlemen, let's give 'em BIG HANDWAVES! We're proud of you, MSSD Seniors! May the eagle soar high as your spirits!

Eagles are #1!

- D.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Letter from MSSD Seniors
Filed under: General, FSSA, - Clerc Center — gufssa @ 10:51 am

To the Members of the G.U. Board of Trustees,

This morning on October 25, 2006, the seniors of the Model Secondary School for the Deaf were on our way to our internship sites. Unfortunately, we witnessed an unexpected confrontation between the Campus police and Gallaudet students who were protesting at the Brentwood gate near the Model Secondary School for the Deaf. We, the seniors, have never witnessed anything like this since the beginning of the protest. Having seen this occurred, we felt traumatized by this experience. We realized how much hatred and violence were created by the Department of Public Safety who was ordered to destroy this protest which was supposed to be a peaceful one. We felt that the Department of Public Safety didn’t confront this situation peacefully. They were being very physical and ignored the students when they were trying to communicate with them. This protest is becoming more serious than we expected. So, for the seniors who witnessed this confrontation, we decided to wake up and show our support. We walked out of our school to show that we are physically there so the community of Gallaudet University would become very aware that we want to support this protest in every way possible. This protest has been going on since May 2006 and we believe it is time for all of you, the Board of Trustees, to get more involved with the Gallaudet community and hear us out. We won’t give up fighting for our rights. Our future is in your hands. Wake up.

The Seniors of MSSD

Open Letter to Irving King Jordan and Jane Kelleher Fernandes

Dear Irving King Jordan and Jane Kelleher Fernandes,

I am deeply disappointed in the actions that were undertaken at the MSSD/Brentwood gates in the Administration's attempt to move the protestors. I remember the MSSD gates fondly, which I used many times when I lived at MSSD. The order of a bulldozer to push students at my high school is very,very deplorable. According to what I was told, three students were injured. One student's foot was seriously cut and blood was shed on MSSD campus. You have besmirched the memory of MSSD forever!

I do not agree with all the actions of the protestors, nor do I think they were in the best of the interests for the FSSA. But you have called all the protestors, which include MSSD alumni, "terrorists." As a grandson of a diplomat, I find this very unacceptable and uncalled for. You have slandered and tarnished our school.

With all the power that I have, with my family name that I will use, I will contact my Congressman and request for a Congressional investigation into your actions at the MSSD/Brentwood gates, on property of our old home. You better prepare to answer yourself before Congress.

This is the last straw. Gloves are off.

Sincerely,

Dan McClintock
artist, writer
grandson of the Honorable Robert McClintock

cc: the GUFSSA, MSSD Alumnis

ATTENTION MSSD Alumni!

In light of what just happened at MSSD gates, I would like to invite all MSSD alumni to come to Yvonne's MSSD yahoo group for a discussion of the crisis and the DPS' treatment of students at MSSD gates. Be advised the moderator is very busy at this moment and it is not known when she may be available later, but we will keep you posted. For now just email to the address provided in the webpage, and we will see about setting a time for a live, online discussion. Any suggestion or idea? If you want, you may post your comments or letters here on my site to attention of other MSSD alumni. Thanks -

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MSSDAlumni

- D.

----------------------------------

Breaking News

I just had a VP conversation with an old friend, a former MSSD classmate, who is at Gallaudet. My friend informed me that a bulldozer came to the MSSD gates and tried to move the protestors who were standing in way. 3 students were hurt, and one student's foot was cut in half. My VP conversation was cut short when a fire alarm went on in the building where my friend was using a VP booth. I will update you as more details come up!

Open Letter to MSSD Alumni

(second draft)

Dear MSSD alumni,

Greetings, folks! I know many questions may be on your mind as they were on my mind about Gallaudet's handling of the protests and whether MSSD alumni who were involved in the protestors were actually guilty of breaking any law on the properties of MSSD and KDES. I know that some of you who were not present at Kendall Green during the events from October 11 through 13 may be still confused today, as more details of what happened continue to come out. Hence, I am writing to you to express my concerns and thoughts that may be as similiar as yours.

First, I would like to introduce myself. I was a student at Model Secondary School for the Deaf from 1978 to 1981. It was one of my best experiences in my life, being at MSSD and interacting with students from different states all over the U.S. Some of you who were with me during this time remember our MSSD pride was very strong. We had the best football and girls' basketball records at that time. In retrospective I feel the education we received back at MSSD then was very valuable, and is still today. MSSD was where I first took Journalism class and learned how to write reports. MSSD also has its own theatre (named after my teacher Eric Malzkuhn, Gallaudet alumnus), which gave outstanding plays during the years we were there. MSSD in my experience was one of the best places for a student to attend, especially with its proximity to the Capitol (only three miles) in Washington, D.C., which offered many opportunities for study of U.S. history.

Speaking of U.S. history, I come from two of very prominent Washingtonian families. Both my late grandfathers worked for the U.S. government on high levels. My late grandfather, the Honorable Robert McClintock, was Ambassador to four countries - Lebanon, Cambodia, Argentina and Venezuela. He has met his bosses, the Presidents of the United States, from Truman to Ford. My other grandfather, Stewart French, was Attorney to the Interior at Congress, and one of his great achievements in his career was his involvement in a legislative team that examined documents for statehood of Alaska and Hawaii in 1959 (which greatly expanded our country, the U.S.!). Like my paternal grandfather, my maternal grandfather met Presidents, too, as well as many politicians, Congressmen and Senators, whom he represented and befriended during many years of his work. Both contributed their parts to making of U.S. history.

Now, here in 2006 you can, too, contribute to making of U.S. history. I do not claim to be the sole representative for all MSSD alumni, since I did not graduate from MSSD. I was transferred to a hearing school against my wishes in 1982. Yet, as I have said before, MSSD will always remain part of my identity. I may have left MSSD, but MSSD never left my heart. So with this in respect, I hope you do not mind me speaking on all your behalf, seeing there was no one else to speak for us.

President-designate Jane K. Fernandes and the Gallaudet Public Relations made allegations against the GUFSSA and the protestors that they prevented MSSD and KDES students from getting education. Their allegations also include the students' supposedly blocking school buses from leaving to pick up KDES students and the banging on sides of the buses. Ms. Fernandes alleged that these students, which include 21 MSSD alumni, broke serious laws on campus. All these allegations are reportedly denied by posters on my website and in other people's blogsites.

Based upon these findings, I have been thinking deeply and have decided to write this open letter for all MSSD alumni. I ask that each one of you to suspend your judgement and to understand the protestors, why they are fighting for their cause. I ask you not to judge them by egregious offenses that some individual protestors thoughtlessly committed, but to judge them by the dedication of their heart to the cause for justice and truth. I ask that we, all MSSD alumni, pardon the 135 protestors, including the 21 MSSD alumni, for any serious offense or trangression that they may have committed on the premises of MSSD/KDES. I also ask that there be a censure of certain acts committed by individual protestors who acted not in the best interests of the FSSA. Let us not condemn all 135 protestors for a few individuals' actions. I think we all agree on what those acts that we deem unacceptable are. These acts include throwing objects, spraypainting on Gallaudet property, and other instances of violence or vandalism. I ask that this censure be deferred to a time after Jane K. Fernandes steps down from her position, truth is fully reconciled and healing is in place on campus. I ask you to please send your letters of support to the attention of the GUFSSA, the 21 MSSD alumni, and the hunger strikers in regard.

In sum, I ask you to please support the GUFSSA in its cause for justice and truth. Let's make Kendall Green a beautiful home again the way we remember it.

May Eagle Wings soar!

Thank you,

Dan McClintock
artist, writer
MSSD alumnus
Class of 1982

MSSD PR A Failure As Well

MSSD PR A Failure As Well
An editorial by D. McClintock

Let's recap the bus incident at the MSSD/KDES gates. Pieces and bits of the entire picture are slowly emerging. To this date, the GUFSSA spokespeople have not yet responded to my emailed questions. But anonymous posters, who are presumably protestors themselves, said on my blogsite that the allegations Ms. Maynerdie raised about the protestors supposedly blocking school buses or MSSD/KDES students from either leaving or coming in at the gates are untrue and "lies." Here is a following copy of one poster:

Anonymous said...

I used to work with the transportation department. All buses are kept in the basement of the parking structure on 6th street, on campus. The buses usually leave around 6 am. Now about the protest - we do not trap anyone inside. Everyone who has cars, buses, vans, you name it, are allowed out, but not everyone can get back in. We do not kidnap anyone on campus. That would be a severe violation! Everyone can leave as they please. And since we all agree that the school buses carrying students and teachers at MSSD/KDES were allowed back in, so the lies lie with the administration not the protest.

Here the poster contradicts Maynerdie's statement about protestors allegedly preventing buses from leaving to pick up elementary students. Who can imagine anyone at the protests getting up bleary-eyed and early, stretching and yawning, at 6am to block the school buses from leaving the gates?? This hole in Maynerdie's story further weakens the Gallaudet Public Relations' position on MSSD and KDES. The fact that she is a Jane K. Fernandes supporter also makes her statement biased.

The ambiguity of Maynerdie's statement incidates to me a possible slip of tongue, probably due to the rash way she wrote her reply, about who actually prevented the buses from leaving to pick up students. Blogger Mishka Zena pointed out one poster's comment on her website that the responsiblity for closing the schools lays with the university, not the protests.

The Gallaudet PR alleged that protestors banged violently on the sides of the school buses as they came in with the students. This was debunked by a father of one boy on MishkaZena.com.

Jane K. Fernandes characterized the so-called "dissenters" in her interview with the Washington Post as "terrorists," accusing them of denying MSSD and KDES students their education, saying that food for the campus and services for deaf babies and the elderly were being denied. Yet the protestors presented an entirely different picture, claiming that their protests are peaceful and non-violent. Note the use of such terms as "babies" and "senior citizens" could be her attempt to appeal to emotions of the deaf community and influence their public opinion in her way. But her approach, evidently, isn't working. She even put the words in the mouths of the Metro Police Department, whose jobs were simply to response to complaints.

Here's a copy of the link to the JKF interview for your reference:

http://news.gallaudet.edu/?id=9608

Her reply to the reporter's question about the protestors' demands is curious.

I know there are two demands -- I resign and no reprisals. But a protest has to be FOR something, so I want to LISTEN to those involved. I want you to tell me what you are FOR. You want the protest to reduce racism on campus? So do I and we have a plan that is already going into action. You want to protest to reduce audism on campus? So do I and we have a plan to do so that is beginning.

Notice how she has ominously omitted reprisals? She didn't respond to that part.

The two original demands still remain and those are not negotiable. It is impossible to negotiate when the protesters have no flexibility in their demands.

How can the students negotiate if she is not flexible either?

21 of the 133 protestors arrested are MSSD alumni. There is an increasing number of support among MSSD alumnus for them. Even some of the faculty and staff working at MSSD who kept their names anonymous for fear of losing their jobs are in support, too. My conclusion from observing this event is that, while not all the details of the bus incident are yet fully clear, Ms. Elizabeth Maynerdie's statement falls on its face. It is 0 for MSSD PR, 1 for MSSD alumni/protestors.

Add this to a growing long list of the Gallaudet PR's failures.

Editor's note 10/23/06: I removed link to petition by Stakeholders, due to a request by the same person who submitted the link, on behalf of the Stalkerholders. Declaration has just been disabled at request of the sponsoring organizations.

One cartoon will be forthcoming soon. I will be busy working today, but I will keep eyes on the deafread roll for the latest news and blogs as they come up every hour, and I will be sure to update you in time after my business hours.

Keep up your spirits, protestors!

- D.

Quote by St. Francis of Assisi

The benediction quoted today in my church is also worth noting here, for your inspiration:

"Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace; where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light: and where there is sadness, joy. O Divine Master, grant that I may not not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood, as to understand; to be loved, as to love; for it is in giving that we receive, it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, and it is in dying that wer are born to Eternal Life. Amen." - St. Francis of Assisi

Another IKJ Cartoon!

This story inspired my idea for this cartoon! - D.

----------------------------------------------------

(from MishkaZena)

Not In My Front Yard! Exclaimed Jordan

For now, the name of the grassy area slipped Is that the name for that grassy area between College Hall and The President’s personal residence. My brain is still fried from the exciting day yesterday. Earlier last week, a large tent was being constructed on this grassy field. Jordan was upset about it and ordered this large structure, still in the process of being completed, be bull-razed. The GUAA president, Andy Lange tried in vain to resolve this with Jordan. He spoke briefly on this tent fiasco at the rally at Capitol yesterday morning. Jordan was visibly upset and told him the tent cannot be built in front of his front yard. Not In His Front Yard? Immediately after his presentation, I asked Andy if true biz Jordan said that. I wanted to ensure that I saw (not heard) correctly what he said. He replied affirmatively, Jordan did use these words. When I went by the grassy field, there were no tent. The grassy area is now his front yard. I thought that belongs to the whole Gallaudet University.

Prayer for the Hunger Strikers

(morning edition)

Good morning, Deaf America!

How are you all feeling, after the march at the Capitol? Are any of you of faith, who belongs to a Christian or non-Christian denomination? Some folks in the Midwest, South Dakota or Minnesota, got together and put out this proclamation. You may keep this rationale in mind as you continue your prayers at church or temple of your choice. I am not one affiliated with any particular faith or church or temple. I am a freethinker. But I am of personal view that all of us are spiritual beings, whether deaf, hard of hearing or hearing, whatever mode of communications we use or which language we speak in.

I am also of personal view that for what reasons science is not fully able to determine, prayers do prove effective in some of the most dire situations (most of it is likely associated with pyschology and power of mind over matter). Whatever your conviction is, now is good time to pray for the health of the hunger strikers. Now is also good time to ask your God or Divine Intelligence or Savior to "move the mountains," speaking of Jane K. Fernandes and I. King Jordan, and persuade their minds to seriously respect the wishes of the deaf community for sake of peace and harmony on campus and to leave for once and all.

Folks, it appears that debate is growingly becoming irrelevant at this point. What is needed is unity on our home, Gallaudet University. To me personally, regardless of which side they stand on, all MSSD, Gallaudet, and KDES students are like family, like brothers and sisters, because of the unique environment that we live in, that we call our home. In order for our home to stand undivided and not fall (to paraphrase President Lincoln), we must all pray together on this day.

In the meantime, today I will personally light a candle for you (the hunger strikers) at my church.

Here's the link to the rationale on Deaf Kitchen's blogsite:

http://deafkitchen.blogspot.com/2006/10/international-deaf-day-of-prayer.html

(copy)

Thursday, October 19, 2006

International Deaf Day of Prayer

* * * A DEAF PROCLAMATION * * *To the deaf community in America and to the world, we, the undersigned, have agreed to hold a INTERNATIONAL DEAF DAY OF PRAYER on Saturday, October 21, 2006. The five-fold rationale is as follows:

1. There is a current crisis at Gallaudet University regarding the transition of power in the presidency, with the upcoming outcome expected to result in profound implications for the college and deaf community in the years to come.

2. We acknowledge that You, God, the Creator of this world, have the ultimate power to raise up leaders and to demote leaders of this world.

3. We acknowledge that You have created a people whom we call the deaf (Exodus 4:11).

4. We confess our specific sins against You, against the deaf and hearing communities, against anyone because if we do humble ourselves before You, You truly hear us (2 Chron. 7:14, 1 Peter 5:6; 1 John 3:22)!

5. We love our deaf people and our Gallaudet community and ask You, beloved God, to intervene in the Gallaudet crisis in a way that will bring peace to everyone and honor to You (Matthew 7:7-11). May You, God, be praised and glorified in this.

THE UNDERSIGNED:

1. Bob Westerhaus, Savage, MN
2. Mary Westerhaus, Savage, MN
3. Ken Thigpen, Hagerstown, MD
4. Abbey Roin-Thigpen, Hagerstown, MD
5. Pastor Chester Brock, Carmichael, CA
6. Jeff and Heloise Hinds, Tucson, AZ
7. Raul and Diane Brown, Monument, CO
8. Diana Batman, Tracy, CA
9. Dave Arent, Hayward, CA
10. Barbara Arent, Hayward, CA
11. Fr. Thomas Coughlin, Hayward, CA
12. Roger and Christine Kraft, Sioux Falls, SD

P.S. This was sent to me and several other people at the same time.
Therefore, the total number of signees is probably more than the above list.
Posted by Deaf Kitchen at 10:10 PM

- D.

Bus Incident: Two Different Sides of Story

Good morning, Deaf America! Finally, after such a busy week working on projects, I am back at my desk, sitting in my chair with a cup of hot coffee. Ahh, refreshening smell of coffee! Mmm...

Now, readers, I'd like you to first read my exchange of replies to the posters below. Second, I would like to share with you the links to two different sides of the story on the bus incident. This is especially for those out in the public who were behind in blogs and news. The critic of the Gallaudet protests, Mike McConnell, questioned the tactics of some protestors according to reports he read. One report he blogged on had to do with the allegation of protestors banging on the sides of the buses as they came in. Here is a link to his blog:

http://kokonutpundits.blogspot.com/2006/05/deaf-protest-soon-to-turn-violent

However, the allegation was denied by a father of a son who rode on the bus in the incident. His story was published on Mishka Zena's blogsite at this following link,

http://mishkazena.wordpress.com/2006/10/19/another-parent-disputes-allegations-of-threateningunacceptable-behavior/.

Also, read comments by posters on the story in this other link,

http://mishkazena.wordpress.com/2006/10/17/dad-speaks-out-about-the-bus-incident-yesterday/#comments

There are still questions over what exactly happened in the events leading up to the arrests on "Black Friday." Elizabeth Maynardie's statement was vague, too. I have emailed the FSSA coalition yesterday and asked for their statement in rebuttal to Elizabeth Maynardie's statement in regards to the allegation of school buses being blocked. I will post their statement here as soon as I receive it.

But for the time being, speaking as a MSSD alumnus I have some thoughts. In sympathy with those MSSD alumni who were arrested on "Black Friday," I think it would be wise to defer this inquiry to a later time after JKF is successfully evicted and the presidential search process is reopened. I think we should call for an independent commission, to be made up of neutral-minded MSSD alumni, MSSD or KDES faculty and staff, and any other community leader who was not present at the events, to lead an investigation of several allegations regarding the handling of the bus incidents on Gallaudet's side and the tactics of certain protestors. I won't be on this commission, as neither should be the bloggers or anyone from the FSSA or the Administration. It must be filled with unbiased people, so that they can study and vertify which information is accurate. Is this understood? Do anyone support this idea of an independent commission?

- D.

------------

11:42am

I would like to add that the purpose of the independent commission should be just to vertify facts, not to mete out judgements or punishment. I do not support reprisals for all the protestors, even if some of them were found to be guilty of breaking certain laws. I do not support expulsion of any one, period.

MSSD official says school buses were blocked

Hello, everyone, remember I told you earilier that I would investigate this on my own? I did and emailed Elizabeth Meynardie, who is in charge of Community Building at MSSD. Following is a copy of her response to my inquiry.

I would like to clarify my role here at my blogsite. You all already know where I stand on this issue. As a cartoonist my job here is to provide comic relief for everyone, regardless of which side they stand on. Yet at the same time, as a writer and as a journalist currently working for SIGNews, I have a responsibility to bring out the facts in an unbiased and balanced manner possible. It is not my position here to give a spin on this or that or write a commentary or do an analysis of the news. I will leave this to the protestors to rebut Ms. Meynardie's statement and the bloggers to comment on this.

As a MSSD alumnus, I am not sure if I can speak for all MSSD alumni because I did not graduate from there. I went to MSSD from 1978 to 1981 and was going to be prep at Gallaudet during my senior year in 1982. Had I remained at MSSD, I would have been one of the youngest students at Gallaudet! But I was transferred to a hearing school instead. Nevertheless, MSSD remains to be and always will be part of my identity. I am certain many MSSD alumni out there do share what I think and feel at this moment. It is clear out there on the Internet that many MSSD alumni, faculty and staff (whether former or current) are not in support of Provost Jane K. Fernandes staying on to become President. With this in mind, I would like to invite MSSD alumni to present their opinions,viewpoints and reactions to this issue. They may post their comments here or anywhere else.

I would like to add that all my opinions expressed here are solely my own and in no way should be associated with SIGNews or any organization or any of the clients I work with.

- Dan McClintock
MSSD alumni,
Class of 1982


From:
"Elizabeth Meynardie"

To:
"'Dan McClintock'"
Cc:
"'Betsy Meynardie'"

Date:
20 Oct 2006, 11:59:43 AM
Subject:
RE: MSSD and the Gallaudet Protests

Dear Mr. McClintock:
Thank you for your email. I'm sorry that I haven't responded earlier, I was
out of town for a family emergency and just received your email today.
Currently Gallaudet University, including MSSD and KDES is open. There is
one entrance to the university open, (the 6ht street entrance) all other
gates are blocked by protesters.

Classes and programs at both the elementary school and the high school are
in session.

The entire university was closed by the protestors from October 11th through
the 13th. School buses weren't allowed to leave to pick up elementary
students and only minimal MSSD staff were allowed entrance to supervise the
high school students who live in the dorms.
However, both schools resumed their academic programs this week.
betsy

Elizabeth Meynardie
Manager,
Office of Training and Professional Development
elizabeth.meynardie@gallaudet.edu
(202) 651-5855
Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center
Gallaudet University

-----Original Message-----
From: Dan McClintock [mailto:dmcclintock@sandiego.com]
Sent: Wednesday, October 18, 2006 11:32 AM
To: Elizabeth.Meynardie@gallaudet.edu
Subject: MSSD and the Gallaudet Protests
Dear Ms. Meynardie,
I am checking to see whether if the reports of some protestors blocking MSSD
and KDES students at the entrance are true? With a great deal of conflicting
information out on the Internet, I would like to get some straight facts
from MSSD. Any information, clarification or comment from you would be
appreciated.
Thank you,
Dan McClintock
blogger, MSSD alumni
http://dmccartoon.blogspot.com

New Thomas & Alice Cartoon

FROM THOMAS & ALICE

TO

IRV & JANE:

IT'S TIME FOR YOU TO GO!

Dr. Jane Hurst's Article on Nonviolence and Civil Disobedience

Hey, did you see Dr. Jane Hurst's article on nonviolence and civil disobedience? It's excellent. Her points strengthens what I was trying to say here on my blogsite. I suspect she probably read our exchange of posts on this site before she wrote her article! (smile) Hey, Dr. Jane Hurst, great job! Thank you for giving your insights and for your help in clarifiying the terms of nonviolence and civil disobedience. We truly do appreciate this. Like you and your students, I am a big fan of philosophy. Keep it up!

http://news.gallaudet.edu/?id=9583

- Dan

LIST OF MSSD ALUMNI ARRESTED

I just got this from my MSSD alumni list. Hands up for our MSSD alumni who were arrested on 10/13!

D.

---------
(copy)

Someone sent me this list and this person wants to congratulate you MSSD Alumni who were arrested last Friday, October 13th for your bravery to fight for social justice at Gallaudet. The list of MSSD Alumni who were arrested last Friday:

>>>> 1. Berry, Heather
>>>> 2. Best, John
>>>> 3. Brimmer, Adam
>>>> 4. Clevenger, Travis
>>>> 5. Doudt, Calvin
>>>> 6. Egnatovitch, Kyron
>>>> 7. Harris, Raychelle
>>>> 8. Holcomb, Tara
>>>> 9. Johnson, Rochella
>>>> 10. Kelly, Joseph
>>>> 11. Kessel, Jonathan
>>>> 12. Kuehne, Jennifer
>>>> 13. MacLaughlin Holmes, Heidi
>>>> 14. Miller, Matthew
>>>> 15. Moore, Sean
>>>> 16. Plummer, LaToya
>>>> 17. Ruzicka, Jason
>>>> 18. Scarna, Stefano
>>>> 19. Saunders, Shandella
>>>> 20. Shephard, Ryan
>>>> 21. Valencia, Jessica
>>>> 22. Valencia, Jonathan

If you notice any MSSD Alumni who has been arrested on October 13,2006 (Black Friday) is overlooked or not on this list, please email to mailto:tomssdalumni@comcast.net.
Thank you for your support. By the way, I heard the Gallaudet football game is still on thisSaturday, October 21st and many Gallaudet and MSSD Alumni will be there. See you there!

Yvonne

-------------

The host and coordinator of MSSD reunion events Yvonne Mattiello has posted links by MSSD alumnni related to Gallaudet protests for your interest. Good job, Yvonne!

http://www.mssdclassmates.com/offsitelinks.htm

Keep up the Eagles spirit!

MSSD and KDES students not blocked

Hi, good morning, everyone,

I was recently informed by a friend that the reports of some protestors supposedly blocking MSSD and KDES students are not true, that it was "propaganda fed by the Gallaudet PR." Well, I will investigate this a little on my own. If it turns out to be entirely true, then I apologize to the public for giving my misimpression on the facts. In following all the blogs and news out on the Internet, the stories out there can be pretty confusing. Let's hope all facts will be sorted in due time.

Whatever the flaws of some protestors may be or imperfect ways the message may be presented in, my support of the movement as the whole and my sympathy with their desire for justice remain unchanged.

Dan

Note: All quotes by Gandhi and King are paraphrased for the comic strip. For their exact quotes, go to www.quotationpages.com

POP QUIZ FOR STUDENTS OF HISTORY:

A) Which one of those fellas has been to Washington, D.C. and led a few of the largest demonstrations down the Mall in U.S. history?

1) Mahatma Gandhi

2) Martin Luther King, Jr.

3) Abbie Hoffman

B) Whose ideas of nonviolence influenced the thinking of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Abbie Hoffman?

1) Yogi Berra

2) Buddha

3) Mahatma Gandhi

C) Connect which movement to which leader?

A. independence for India from Great Britain ___

B. anti-Vietnam War protests ___

C. civil rights___

1. Martin Luther King, Jr.

2. Mahatma Gandhi

3. Abbie Hoffman

For Gallaudet Protestors

IN THE NEWS!

THOMAS GALLAUDET AND

ALICE COGSWELL

ARRESTED!

Dear fellow protestors:

As a former Washingtonian (Washington D.C. was my second home when I grew up) and a MSSD alumni, even though I'm 3,000 miles away here in San Diego, I want you to know that I'm with you. Don't give up your hopes! Having grown up in D.C., I can understand what all politics was about. The important thing is to keep up your positive spirits and strive for a peaceful resolution to this crisis. Let us bring harmony to the campus. Kendall Green is a home to you all students, as it was to me and other MSSD classmates. It is a home to our beloved heroes, Thomas Gallaudet and Alice Cogswell, too!

Dan McClintock
artist & writer

For viewing my earlier posts & cartoons, go to this original blogspot:

http://dmcclintock.blogspot.com